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DW's Bundesliga team of the week - Matchday 19

A wild Bundesliga matchday 19 gave the team of the week an interesting cast of characters. Luiz Gustavo had a strong return, and Robert Lewandowski showed a need for healthy defenders is overrated.

Goalkeeper: Marwin Hitz

Eintracht Frankfurt may have bashed Wolfsburg's defense last week, but they couldn't repeat their success against Augsburg. Marwin Hitz made the difference, making six saves to keep the clean sheet. Each save seemed more spectacular than the last, as for the second game in a row Augsburg drew 0-0.

Defender: Carlos Zambrano

Despite Marwin Hitz stealing the headlines, Carlos Zambrano was crucial in preserving Eintracht Frankfurt's fourth clean sheet of the season. His presence kept Augsburg's chances at bay, giving Frankfurt opportunities to find an opener. One can easily see why Schalke were sniffing around the possibility of signing Zambrano in January.

Defender: Cleber

Cleber's Hamburg career did not start well, but he showed Saturday against Stuttgart how important he is to the HSV defense. He made sure to get the ball out of danger, no matter what it took, giving Hamburg a chance to win their first game in 2016. Unfortunately Artem Kravets got the best of Hamburg in the end, but that still does not take away from Cleber's stellar performance.

Defender: Marvin Plattenhardt

The Bundesliga is a league filled with free-kick specialists, but Marvin Plattenhardt proved he does more than just that for Hertha Berlin. The defender broke up many Werder Bremen attacks, which made his stunning free kick count even more. Hertha conceded two late goals to draw, but his efforts were still noteworthy in a turbulent Bundesliga encounter.

Midfielder: Luiz Gustavo

Making his return from a muscle tear in November, Luiz Gustavo made an instant impression in a Wolfsburg team needing a lift. The defensive midfielder helped control the game for Wolfsburg, and he even had a few good chances. Wolfsburg failed to hold onto another lead though, and Gustavo picked up a yellow card, leaving him suspended for Wolfsburg's trip to Gelsenkirchen.

Midfielder: Leroy Sane

Schalke's young stud shined again, driving their attack forward before adding an insurance goal against Darmstadt. His presence on the right side of Schalke's attack added a very positive dimension to their team. Hopefully that will remain for many years to come as the club continues to swat away suitors around Europe.

Midfielder: Daniel Didavi

Stuttgart had their most put-together performance of the season, and Daniel Didavi was one of the big reasons why. The attacking midfielder was contributing in every way he physically could. An opportunity finally presented itself to score, and Aaron Hunt helped him get Stuttgart the opening goal and eventually the three points.

Midfielder: Max Meyer

He has disappeared in and out of games, but Max Meyer showed up to help Schalke grind out a tough result. His goal may have been fortunate, but his pinpoint through ball to Leroy Sane was pure class. Schalke are getting a lot of calls regarding Sane's availability, and it may not be long before Meyer gets the same attention.

Midfielder: Filip Kostic

Trying to get Stuttgart their third consecutive win, Filip Kostic bossed the left flank and gave his team several chances to score. His service was on point on Saturday, and his corner set up Daniel Didavi for Stuttgart's opening goal. Like Didavi, Kostic's form has been one of the main reasons Stuttgart have started winning again.

Forward: Robert Lewandowski

Bayern Munich have their issues in defense at the moment, but Robert Lewandowski can solve a lot of problems. He had another brace against Hoffenheim on Sunday, the two goals Bayern needed to maintain their eight-point gap over Dortmund. This tally was much more impactful than his "accidental" brace against Hamburg, hammering home two great assists from Douglas Costa and Philipp Lahm.

Forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund were in danger of dropping valuable points, but their African footballer of the year swooped in to save the day. His late brace gave Dortmund a much more comfortable victory over Ingolstadt than was probably deserved. With 20 goals to his name, he is now making Gerd Müller's 40-goal haul look like a more than attainable record.

Goalkeeper: Marwin Hitz

Eintracht Frankfurt may have bashed Wolfsburg's defense last week, but they couldn't repeat their success against Augsburg. Marwin Hitz made the difference, making six saves to keep the clean sheet. Each save seemed more spectacular than the last, as for the second game in a row Augsburg drew 0-0.

Defender: Carlos Zambrano

Despite Marwin Hitz stealing the headlines, Carlos Zambrano was crucial in preserving Eintracht Frankfurt's fourth clean sheet of the season. His presence kept Augsburg's chances at bay, giving Frankfurt opportunities to find an opener. One can easily see why Schalke were sniffing around the possibility of signing Zambrano in January.

Defender: Cleber

Cleber's Hamburg career did not start well, but he showed Saturday against Stuttgart how important he is to the HSV defense. He made sure to get the ball out of danger, no matter what it took, giving Hamburg a chance to win their first game in 2016. Unfortunately Artem Kravets got the best of Hamburg in the end, but that still does not take away from Cleber's stellar performance.

Defender: Marvin Plattenhardt

The Bundesliga is a league filled with free-kick specialists, but Marvin Plattenhardt proved he does more than just that for Hertha Berlin. The defender broke up many Werder Bremen attacks, which made his stunning free kick count even more. Hertha conceded two late goals to draw, but his efforts were still noteworthy in a turbulent Bundesliga encounter.

Midfielder: Luiz Gustavo

Making his return from a muscle tear in November, Luiz Gustavo made an instant impression in a Wolfsburg team needing a lift. The defensive midfielder helped control the game for Wolfsburg, and he even had a few good chances. Wolfsburg failed to hold onto another lead though, and Gustavo picked up a yellow card, leaving him suspended for Wolfsburg's trip to Gelsenkirchen.

Midfielder: Leroy Sane

Schalke's young stud shined again, driving their attack forward before adding an insurance goal against Darmstadt. His presence on the right side of Schalke's attack added a very positive dimension to their team. Hopefully that will remain for many years to come as the club continues to swat away suitors around Europe.

Midfielder: Daniel Didavi

Stuttgart had their most put-together performance of the season, and Daniel Didavi was one of the big reasons why. The attacking midfielder was contributing in every way he physically could. An opportunity finally presented itself to score, and Aaron Hunt helped him get Stuttgart the opening goal and eventually the three points.

Midfielder: Max Meyer

He has disappeared in and out of games, but Max Meyer showed up to help Schalke grind out a tough result. His goal may have been fortunate, but his pinpoint through ball to Leroy Sane was pure class. Schalke are getting a lot of calls regarding Sane's availability, and it may not be long before Meyer gets the same attention.

Midfielder: Filip Kostic

Trying to get Stuttgart their third consecutive win, Filip Kostic bossed the left flank and gave his team several chances to score. His service was on point on Saturday, and his corner set up Daniel Didavi for Stuttgart's opening goal. Like Didavi, Kostic's form has been one of the main reasons Stuttgart have started winning again.

Forward: Robert Lewandowski

Bayern Munich have their issues in defense at the moment, but Robert Lewandowski can solve a lot of problems. He had another brace against Hoffenheim on Sunday, the two goals Bayern needed to maintain their eight-point gap over Dortmund. This tally was much more impactful than his "accidental" brace against Hamburg, hammering home two great assists from Douglas Costa and Philipp Lahm.

Forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund were in danger of dropping valuable points, but their African footballer of the year swooped in to save the day. His late brace gave Dortmund a much more comfortable victory over Ingolstadt than was probably deserved. With 20 goals to his name, he is now making Gerd Müller's 40-goal haul look like a more than attainable record.